Peridot - the green gem of August whose value can rival a diamond's

I recently worked on a commission for a client who wanted the inimitable peridot to be the focus of the piece. I absolutely love projects like this because it gives me licence to spend way too much of my day visiting my supplier in Hatton Garden – and believe me, time just disappears when you lose yourself in the magical world of gemstones!

Looking over the larger peridots on offer I was surprised at the prices. Surely this is "just" a semi-precious stone, I wondered – so why is the investment almost up there with sapphires, diamonds and emeralds?

Clearly delighted to be asked, my supplier began to explain how rare larger peridots really are. We've always treated them as "elevated" semi-precious stones at Ana Verdun London, and have found their availability and pricing to fluctuate considerably over the years – but we'd never understood why. 

Now I was being given the fascinating backstory on this exceptional stone. 

And since peridot is the birthstone of August what better time to share a few of these insights here with you?

• What's in the name? Apparently most scholars agree that the word “peridot” is derived from the Arabic faridat, which means “gem;” but it could also be rooted in the Greek word peridona, meaning “giving plenty.” Perhaps this is why peridot has long been associated with prosperity and good fortune!

• Known as the “evening emerald” for its warm glow, peridot has captivated gem lovers for thousands of years with its fresh green hue. Its origins connect it to both Earth’s fiery depths and even outer space. Though smaller examples are not too hard to come by, large fine peridots are so coveted they can even command prices comparable to some diamonds.

• Ancient Egyptians mined peridot over 3,500 years ago on Zabargad Island in the Red Sea, calling it the “gem of the sun”.

• Unlike many gems formed in the Earth’s crust, peridot forms 20–55 miles deep in the upper mantle under intense heat and pressure. It crystallizes in olivine-rich rocks and is carried to the surface through volcanic eruptions. Amazingly, some peridot also falls on Earth on pallasite meteorites, so in fact it's both a terrestrial and a cosmic treasure. 

Shop the Behrianna ring in gold >>

• Peridot is always green, but its signature colour does range from yellowish green to deep olive, depending on its iron content. Its vibrant hue is easily admired in both daylight and artificial light and makes it distinctive among many other beautiful gemstones.

• Long associated with warmth, energy, and growth, peridot is believed to bring positivity and ward off negative energy. As well as being August’s birthstone, it is also tied to renewal and protection.

• Peridot’s lively green colour pairs beautifully with yellow gold for a warm, classic look, with silver for a crisp, modern feel or with black (oxidised) silver to really bring out its shine.

We love to use it appears in rings, earrings and statement bangles, often accented with diamonds or other colored gems.

Shop the Alma cuff with peridots and blue sapphires >>

• Zarbargad Island off the Red Sea coast of Egypt hosts ancient and legendary sources which are now sadly mostly depleted. Fortunately Kohistan in Pakistan also produces large, vivid green stones with stunning clarity – and Mogok in Myanmar also has deposits of deeply saturated gems with minimal inclusions. 

Peridot is the gemstone of August: a unique treasure forged in the depths of our planet (and sometimes even falling from the sky). It's imbued with centuries of tradition and admiration, and offers a unique blend of captivating colour and intriguing rarity.